Mainstream and Niche Audience

A mainstream audience applies to a text that appeals to a wider range of people as the content gratifies them all due to its range of characters and topics and therefore attracts a larger audience. These texts are shown on the main TV channels that are available to most of the population and are shown at peak times. Ensemble casts appeal to a mainstream audience as the variety of characters can be of different ages, races and in life situations that will appeal to more people. E.g. X Factor, Big Brother, Coronation Street

A niche audience is targeted to a specific audience, which mean the audience is usually smaller, as the content would only interest and gratify an passive audience. They are shown on less popular channels or on channels that are only available if they have been paid for or subscribed to and are shown at non-peak times. E.g. Time Team, Homes under the hammer, Sky Sports